Zimbabwe back in Fifa top 100

The Zimbabwe national senior soccer team bounced back into the top 100 nations in the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola World rankings released by world soccer governing body Fifa.

Zimbabwe, ranked 106 in the last release, have gained six positions and with 347 points, have leapfrogged the likes of Sudan, Northern Ireland and Saudi Arabia.

The Warriors could have gained this latest six places jump following the 0-0 away draw in Mozambique in a 2014 World Cup qualifier and more importantly their qualification for Africa Cup of Nations after winning their 2nd leg qualifier 1-0 over Burundi at the National Sports Stadium in 17 June.

While the move could be good signs of glory days returning to Zimbabwean football, it is a far cry from the days when the team was at some point in the world's top 40 nations and Africa's top 10.

The Warriors are looking at doing well in the next qualifiers in October and will know who their next opponents are after a draw to be staged in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday this week. Zimbabwe will be praying that they do not get the likes of Ivory Coast, Nigeria or Ghana.

The current confusion in the technical team will have to be resolved first ahead of the final qualifier.

First, is the issue of the coach. Though Zifa announced that Rahman Gumbo will be in charge in October, it does not appear like a wise decision. Gumbo has struggled at the helm of Zimbabwe and was lucky that Burundi failed to equalise on 17 June.

Gumbo' selection has been somewhat suspect, with the coach, who is reported to have been fired by FC Platinum last night, selecting players like Terrence Mandaza ahead of players who are in form like Mike Temwanjira who helped his club qualify for the UEFA Champions League for 2012/2013.

Zifa also has to deal with player unrest, and the likes of Knowledge Musona may not be available for selection if the national soccer mother body does not meet his demands after they unfairly accused him of match-fixing in national newspapers.